The e-Bookmark

In this issue:

Literacy Is Everywhere: Summer with ESLC
Volunteer with Us!
ESLC Staff Take On New Roles for Fall
We're Hiring
What to Expect During Tutoring Sessions
Find us at the State Fair!

Literacy Is Everywhere: Summer with ESLC

ESLC has been a busy place this summer! Literacy Mentors jumped in to provide additional summer support to readers with virtual and in-person literacy tutoring sessions. Additionally, guest presenters helped our readers explore literacy in new and creative ways through daily explorations. Literacy Mentor Marsha Traynor and Instructional Mentor Jill Romans had science and engineering challenges for the readers including a mini paleontology dig for “dinosaur bones” and construction of a structure made entirely of spaghetti noodles and marshmallows. Instructional Mentor Ericka Dennis directed two soup-themed plays: The Real Story of Stone Soup and The Soup Opera.

Readers learned their lines, rehearsed with costumes and props, learned sign language to accompany their lines with guest actor Jamillah Hollman, and were featured in an original rap written and performed by local rapper, Carnage the Executioner. Families were all invited for a special performance at Liberty Plaza and everyone celebrated with a bowl of chicken noodle soup from Selby Avenue favorite, Golden Thyme Coffee Cafe, to celebrate. Lastly, we were joined by local movement company, Young Dance, for an exploration of storytelling using our bodies and movement.

Each day was an opportunity to practice and grow literacy skills through one-to-one tutoring but also explore literacy through science and art. We loved watching our readers shine bright as they learned and found success in literacy in different places.

Volunteer with Us!

East Side Learning Center is seeking volunteer Literacy Mentors for the 2022-2023 school year! Learn more about our in-person, school day options and our virtual, after school program at our website.

Questions? Contact Shoua Khang, Volunteer Coordinator at shoua.khang@eslcmn.org

ESLC Staff Take On New Roles for Fall

In our efforts to best support ESLC's mission to "unlock each child's potential through the foundation of reaching" and support ESLC's literacy programming and planned growth, ESLC staff will be taking on new roles this fall. Read below for updates on new titles and what support you can expect from each staff member.

Tutoring Programming

Volunteer Coordinator
Shoua Khang
Ask Me About:

Volunteer Background Checks
Volunteer Paperwork
AmeriCorps Membership
Volunteer Hours
Tutoring Schedule & Site Preference

Co-Directors of Curriculum & Instruction
Mary Fritz & Mary Noble
Ask Us About:

Literacy Mentor Training
Site Coordinator Training
Curriculum
Tutoring Strategies
Reader's Learning Needs
School & Teacher Liaison

Site Coordinators (Formerly Instructional Mentors)
Ask Us About:

Daily questions that arise during tutoring
About your tutoring site
Session Structure & Tutoring Materials
Logging volunteer hours and session notes
Planned & unplanned absences

Coordinator of Virtual Learning & Data Management
Alyssa Hamel
Ask Me About:

Technology Trainings
Virtual Tutoring Session Set Up
Technology Tools such as Zoom, the Volunteer Portal, the Hub, and Google Classroom

Family & Community Literacy Initiatives

ESLC recognizes the crucial role family and community play in closing the literacy gap. ESLC has created two new roles whose work will support the important contributions of family and community.

Director of Family Empowerment
Kymberly Findley-Miller
Ask Me About:

Trainings for Parents
Barbers & Books
Community Literacy Outreach

Director of Programming
Erin Simon
Ask Me About:

Potential New Tutoring Sites
ESLC Communications
New Literacy Initiatives

We're Hiring

East Side Learning Center is looking for several positions to join our team for the 2022-2023 school year. Please help us share this opportunity with folks who share our mission: to unlock each child’s potential through the foundation of reading.

AmeriCorps Positions

Site Coordinator (multiple positions available)
Virtual Site Coordinator (multiple positions available)

Please submit your resume and a short letter of interest to admin@eslcmn.org.

Staff & Contract Positions

Please apply through the MN Council of Nonprofits Job Board using the links above.

What to Expect During Tutoring Sessions

East Side Learning Center is continuing its implementation of the Experience Corps session structure for the 2022-23 school year.

Pre-Fluency students will focus on letter names, letter sounds, high-frequency words and book work.
Fluency students will work on growing their oral language fluency, the bridge to reading comprehension.

Experience Corps is making updates to the tutoring session that align with Science of Reading Research best practices. Here are some examples of Science of Reading-based practices that ESLC will be continuing or newly emphasizing this fall:

Pre-fluency sessions focus on a strong foundation of letter sounds and early phonics practice, aligned to the school curriculum.
Incorporate student interest & choice around reading materials to increase reading motivation.
Expand vocabulary and concepts in all conversations.
Read alouds focus on expanding world view and experiences, vocabulary and enjoyment.

Contact Mary Fritz or Mary Noble regarding any curriculum questions for the 2022-23 school year.

Find us at the State Fair!

East Side Learning Center/Experience Corps Twin Cities will be at the State Fair on Saturday, September 3rd for AARP Day to share about our tutoring and literacy programming and recruit volunteers. Come visit us at Dan Patch Park!